Log Hauling

On January 30, 2008 at approximately 7:00 AM a contract log hauler (Burke Purdon Enterprises Ltd.) was transporting a load of logs from DOC 097 (19.5 on the 300 Road) to Canfor’s PG Sawmill.

Approximately 10 KM after leaving the loader, the driver noticed six logs hanging outside the pup trailer bunks on the passenger side. The driver put an extra wrapper over the logs, placed flags on the outlying logs and proceeded to haul the load to PG Sawmill. The driver did not notify either of LTN’s on-site supervisors.

Upon arriving at the mill, the scaler notified the Log Yard Manager. The truck was parked immediately and Canfor notified LTN of the truck being parked.

LTN’s Operations Manager was contacted and traveled over to the mill to examine the load with Canfor’s woodlands safety officer. Upon inspection and review with the driver, it was determined that the load had shifted forward approximately 6 to 8 inches, from bottom to top.While examining the load, it was noted that the logs that fell out of the bank bunk had shifted forward, but that the front end of some of the logs were hanging over the front bunk by at least 18 to 20 inches. Bunk spread was 12.5 to 13 foot and the un-bunked logs appeared to be 16 and 20 foot long. Measurement of log length was not completed due to danger of logs falling. It appears that if these logs had been centered on the bunks they would have shifted, but may not have fallen out of the rear bunk.

There were no injuries and no damage from the incident.

The BPEL driver had been audited by LTN on January 29, 2008 and was found to be a competent worker and knowledgeable of the licensee and company rules and guidelines.Contributing factors include:

The shifting of the load due to a build up of snow and ice on the bunks, combined with cold conditions and snow covered logs;

Loading logs too close to the bunks when not forced to do so; and,

The lack of preparation / situational awareness following the logs coming out of the bunk.

Learnings and Suggestions:

The drivers are professional and should be aware of unfavorable conditions and react to these conditions accordingly. Remind log haul drivers that snow covered logs are prone to shifting when placed on snow and ice covered bunks. Drivers, when noting the snow and ice build up on the bunks, should use their axe or shovel to clear the snow and ice off the bunks. This will allow firm contact between the logs and the bunks and minimize the potential for log shifting.

Loader operators are to square the loads on the bunks and center the logs as best they can. If centered, the logs can shift forwards or backwards with minimized risk of falling out of the bunks.

Remind all workers (including logging crew, log truck drivers and other road users) that dangerous conditions can come to exist at any time of the work day. When coming across a previously identified hazard, the Worker should control the hazard or access to the hazard as best possible and contact their supervisor. Work should cease immediately. Work should not continue until the hazard is removed or controlled and the Supervisor has given the Worker notification that it is safe to continue work.